I 



Box of Match 



BROOKS BROTHERS 
CHRONOLOGY 



1818-1874 

Corner Catharine and Cherry Streets 



Corner Broadway and Grand Street 

1 8 70-1 8 74 
South Union Square 

1874-1884 
Corner Broadway and Bond Street 

1884-1915 
Corner Broadway and Twenty-second Street 



Madison Avenue cor. Forty-fourth Street 



1857-1870 



August, 191 5 



BOSTON 
LITTLE BUILDING 

Tremont & Boylston 



NEWPORT 



AUDRAIN BUILDING 
220 Bellcvue Avenue 



A Box of Matches 

Containing 
Forty Ways to Play 
GOLF 

OR 

The Handicapped s Hoyle 
By 

H. B. FENN 




Zk(enjj York 

Brooks Brothers 

PUBLISHED MCMXXII 



<c4 



Copyright 1922 by 

Brooks Brothers 



Arranged and Printed at 
The Cheltenham Press 
New York 





CONTENTS 



Apologia . 7 

Handicapping . 9 

Automatic Handicapping .10 

Bisques 12 

Medal Play . 13 

Match Play 14 

Two-Ball Foursome 17 

Two-Ball Mixed Foursome .18 

Selective Drive Foursome . . . . . .18 

Three-Ball Match 19 

One-Half Aggregate Score ... . 19 

Four-Ball Match 20 

Taft System . . . . . . . . 20 

Three-Point System . . • 21 

Best Ball and Worst Ball . . . . .21 

Syndicate . 22 

Progressive Syndicate . . . . . . .22 

Best Drive 23 

Best Approach . . . • . , . . . 23 

Putting Syndicate . . . . . . . .23 

Ball Sweep-Stakes 24 

Play Against Par ,24 

Play Against Bogey 26 

Selected Score . .26 

Ringer Competition 27 

Flag or Tombstone Contest 28 

Cross Country 29 

Course Backwards 30 

Swatfest 31 

Goat Contest 32 

Ladder Contest 33 

Putting Contest 34 

Obstacle Putting Contest 34 

Indoor Putting Contest 35 



CONTENTS 

Approaching and Putting Contest 36 

Driving Contest 37 

Pinehurst Swatfest 37 

Tin Whistle 38 

Splash Contest . 38 

Matching Cards 39 

Free Silver or the Old Army Game 40 

No Alibi . .41 

Stinger 42 

Octopus 42 

Rotation 44 

Yorkville 44 

Woof or Boo Handicap 45 

Club Syndicate - . . 45 

Kickers 1 Handicap . . . - . . . . .46 

One-Stroke Trick Match 47 

Team Match — Nassau System 47 



EXPLANATIONS 

Birdie — A hole made in one stroke under par. 

Eagle — A hole made in two strokes under par, 
for example, a one on a par 3 short hole. 

Pterodactyl — A hole made in three strokes 
under par. This would be where a second shot 
with a brassie was holed out on a par 5 hole. It 
is rare enough to warrant the name. 



APOLOGIA 



Each season finds many new 
devotees of the game not yet 
familiar with the many va- 
rieties of golf matches. It is for 
these, as well as for the more sea- 
soned players whose knowledge is 
perhaps not complete on this sub- 
ject, that this booklet has been pre^ 
pared. 

If there are any suggestions in it 
that will add pleasure to your regular 
Saturday foursome, or ideas which 
will give additional interest to your 
club tournaments, we shall feel that 
our efforts have been rewarded. 

Brooks Brothers 



Golfing Suits with long Trousers 
or Knickerbockers 
in all weights and weaves 

Flannel Trousers and Shirts 
of Outing Materials 

Crash Jackets and Knickers 

Shetland Wool Sweaters 
and Waistcoats 

Neckwear, Handkerchiefs 

Wool Stockings and 
Half-Hose 

Special Hats, Caps, Gloves 
Gaiters 

Boots and Shoes, with Rubber 
Soles, Scafes, Hobnails, etc. 

Pipes, Tobacco Pouches, Umbrellas, 
Kit Bags, Suitcases 

Motor Coats, Travellers' Requisites 
for Long or Short Trips 

Everything for Men's & Boys' Wear 
in Town or Country 



A Box of Matches 

Containing 
Forty Ways to Play Golf 

HANDICAPPING 

In golf, as in all other games, certain players 
are more proficient than others, so to equalize 
the chances of all to win a match or tournament, 
handicaps are given by the better players to 
those less proficient. 

Handicapping today is generally based upon 
the par of the course. Par is a perfect score for 
the 1 8 holes, each hole being considered sep- 
arately. When a player makes par for the round, 
he has played perfect golf — every hole made in 
what it should be, when played correctly. 

With handicaps founded on par, even the best 
players usually receive some handicap, as few 
men can consistently play perfect golf. Each 
club member is given a handicap of so many 
strokes, based upon the difference between par 
and his average score for the course. For 
9 



10 



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example, if the par of a course is 72 a member 
consistently playing in the low eighties, would 
receive 8 strokes handicap. Another man play- 
ing around ninety, 16 or 18 strokes. 

Most clubs have a Handicap Committee whose 
duty it is to follow closely the playing ability of 
its members, in order to revise all handicaps as 
the occasion occurs. When a member's game 
shows improvement his handicap is reduced and 
when there is a falling off in his game it is 
increased. 

Automatic Handicap System 

In many clubs, especially in the West, handi- 
capping is based on the average of the five best 
scores of the season, the medal handicap being 
placed at four-fifths of the difference between 
this average and par. Thus a player whose 
best scores on a 72 par course have been 84-86- 
87-87-91 would have an average of 87 and a 
handicap of 12. Members' handicap cards are 
kept in a convenient rack, and the player is in 
honor bound to erase the poorest of his five scores 
and substitute a better one whenever he can. 

Should he, however, have a "freak" score, say 
five strokes or more below his hitherto best 
score, he is required to post a score only one 



Box of Matches ii 



stroke better. The player above, for example, 
might turn in a 78. Instead of posting this, he 
would post an 83, and his new handicap would 
be based on 83-84-86-87-87, or 1 1 strokes instead 
of 10, which would be the case if he had been 
required to post the 78. This would have been 
too severe a reduction on account of one un- 
usually good score. 

In match play, the difference in ability be- 
tween players is not so pronounced, as the poorer 
player in medal play is likely to waste many 
strokes on some one hole which will affect his 
score for the entire round, but will not make as 
much difference in match play where he can 
only lose the one hole by poor playing. There- 
fore in match play only three-quarters of the 
medal play handicap is allowed. Where both 
players, who are to play a match against each 
other, have handicaps, the one with the lower 
handicap allows his opponent three-quarters of 
the difference between their respective handi- 
caps. When three-quarters of the difference 
results in a fraction of one-half or more, an extra 
stroke is allowed; when less than one-half, it is 
disregarded. In a four-ball foursome, three- 
eighths of the difference between the combined 
handicaps of the respective partners is allowed. 



12 Brooks Brothers 



On the score cards of all clubs are indicated 
the holes on which strokes are to be allowed by 
one player to another, in games played on a 
match basis. Generally the first few strokes are 
allowed on the longer holes, gradually working 
down to the shortest hole, where the allowance 
is 1 8 strokes, or a stroke a hole. 

Bisques 

In individual matches, bisques are frequently 
given instead of strokes. A bisque is the same 
as a stroke, except that the recipient may take 
the stroke on any hole he elects, instead of on 
the hole specified on the score-card. He must, 
however, specify that he is taking a bisque before 
playing from the following tee. The giving of 
a bisque is practically the same as starting an 
opponent an equivalent number of holes up, as 
the one receiving the bisques is sure to take 
them on holes where they will count, either 
enabling him to win or halve the holes in ques- 
tion. For example, A allows B one bisque, on 
the sixth hole A is one up on B and they each 
make this hole in five. B elects to take his bisque 
at this point, thereby winning the hole and 
squaring the match. 



Box of Matches 13 



MEDAL PLAY OR STROKE PLAY 

The meaning of medal or stroke play is the 
total number of strokes which a player requires 
to complete one full round of the course, or 
18 consecutive holes. This form of play is used 
principally for one-day competitions and in the 
qualifying round of tournaments lasting for a 
longer period, where it is necessary to reduce a 
large field to a given number of players. In 
tournaments of this kind all who enter play 18 or 
36 holes medal play, and players having the 
lowest scores 8, 16, or 32, continue at match 
play. One-day tournaments are usually on a 
handicap basis in order to equalize the chances 
of the players of different calibre, the handicap 
allowance being deducted from the gross score, 
or actual number of strokes required to complete 
the entire round. The player having the lowest 
net score wins. Medal-play competitions are un- 
questionably the severest test of golf. In a good 
field a player who finds trouble on one or two 
holes has a very serious handicap to overcome. 

Some tournaments are played on a medal-play 
basis throughout. The most notable American 
competition on this basis is the Open Tourna- 
ment of the United States. Both professionals 



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and amateurs are eligible to compete in this 
contest. This consists of 72 holes, or four 
complete rounds of the course, the player with 
the lowest gross score for the entire four rounds 
being the winner. It is usually won by one of 
the professionals, but on several occasions 
amateurs have been in the front. 

Francis Ouimet, "Jerry" Travers and "Chick" 
Evans each has one win to his credit. The most 
notable amateur performance was probably that 
of Francis Ouimet, the first amateur to win this 
tournament, who won at Brookline, Mass., in 
1913, after a play-ofT of a tie with Harry Vardon 
and Edward Ray — two of the best golfers the 
world has ever known. Ray at that time was 
open champion of Great Britain. 

In all medal competitions each player com- 
petes against the entire field, while in match play 
each match is an individual contest. Special U.S. 
Golf Association rules apply to medal play and 
should be studied by all golfers. 

MATCH PLAY OR HOLE PLAY 

Xo make this booklet complete, it is necessary to 
outline the simplest matches as well as those 
which are more complicated. We will therefore 
start with the two-ball match. 



Box of Matches 15 



In match play, as the name implies, there is 
an individual competition involved. This may- 
be constituted by one player on a side, or there 
may be two or more players on a side. In most 
tournament play a match is between two players 
only. In such a match the player who wins the 
greatest number of holes from his opponent 
wins — the total number of strokes not counting. 
A player may thus require several strokes more 
on the entire round than his opponent and 
still beat him in the number of holes won. Each 
hole counts one point and is decided by the 
number of strokes required to complete the 
individual hole. Match play is sometimes called 
hole play. 

You often hear some such expression as "Jones 
won by 4 and 3." This simply means that at 
the completion of the 15th hole Jones has won 
four more holes than his opponent; and as there 
are only three holes still to play, he cannot 
possibly be beaten, even if he should lose all of 
the remaining holes. 

Match play is used in most tournaments after 
the qualifying round. The eight, sixteen, or 
thirty-two players having the lowest score at 
medal play in the qualifying round continue at 
match play. The names of these players are 



16 Brooks Brothers 

placed in a hat and drawn. They are then 
paired and bracketed as follows: 




This shows the way sixteen players would be 
paired. The winners of each match would 
continue to play through until one only is left, 
who is the winner. The National Amateur 



Box of Matches 17 



Championship and most club invitation tourna- 
ments are played on this basis. 

The preceding pages having given a general 
outline of medal and match play, we shall now 
consider the different kinds of tournaments and 
matches which are played under either one or 
the other of these two methods. 

TWO-BALL FOURSOME 

Four players are required, two on each side 
constituting a team. One ball only is used by 
each team, the partners alternating in playing 
the shots. This is the real "foursome," as 
distinct from the four-ball match, to be described 
later. One partner drives from the tee on all 
the even holes and the other partner on all the 
odd holes, regardless of who played the last 
stroke on the preceding hole. The total number 
of strokes played by both partners is counted 
in the score, and the competition may be either 
at match or medal play. Each player uses his 
own clubs as he would in playing a regular two- 
ball match. 

This type of competition is sometimes varied 
by having the players alternate in playing the 
shots throughout the entire round; that is, when 
one partner holes out, the other partner will 



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drive, regardless of which partner drove from the 
preceding tee. 

TWO-BALL MIXED FOURSOME 

This is the same as the two-ball foursome just 
outlined, except that in this instance a man 
and woman are partners. 

SELECTIVE DRIVE FOURSOME 

This follows the same plan as outlined for the 
two-ball foursome, except that the partners may 
determine who shall drive from each tee, not 
necessarily alternating as before. However, each 
partner must play from at least nine of the 
eighteen tees. This arrangement enables the 
partner who is the longer driver to take ad- 
vantage of the long holes, or those where a long 
carry is involved, or the player who is more 
accurate on the short holes to take advantage of 
his skill. This is particularly adapted to mixed 
foursomes, where the man, or longer driver, has 
the opportunity to take advantage of his greater 
distance where it will be of the most benefit. 
This is sometimes further varied by allowing both 
partners to drive from all tees and then selecting 
the best drive. This counts most on short holes, 
where the ball nearest the pin may be selected. 



Box of Matches 19 



THREE-BALL MATCHES 
As the name implies, this is a match where 
three players play together: each may have a 
match against both of the others; or, where one 
player is better than either of the other two, he 
will undertake to play their best ball. In this 
case the two poorer players are partners and on 
each hole the lowest score of the two counts 
against the score of the single player. For 
example, A & B are partners against C. On 
the first hole A takes six while B has a five, 
which is the same number of strokes required 
by C. The hole is therefore halved, as B's ball 
counts for his side. This same procedure is 
followed throughout the round, the winner being 
determined as in two-ball match play. 

ONE-HALF AGGREGATE SCORE 
This is a variation of the three-ball match above 
outlined and is used where one of the players is 
not enough better than the other two to justify 
his playing their best ball. In this case the total 
score of the two players who are partners is 
added and the odd player's score counts against 
one-half the aggregate score of the two. For 
example, one of the partners takes a five and 
the other a four, making a total of nine, their 



2o Brooks Brothers 



score for the hole being 4^. The odd player must 
beat this in order to win. Under this plan a 
putt may mean either the winning or losing of 
a hole and adds interest to the play. 

FOUR-BALL FOURSOME 
This is probably the most popular and most 
frequently played match at all Golf Clubs. It is 
susceptible of numerous variations and material- 
ly promotes sociability. Many interesting side 
matches can be played in conjunction with the 
four ball, especially if you are looking for a few 
more points on which a small wager may be laid. 
In a straight four-ball match there are two part- 
ners on each side, each player using his own ball, 
the best ball only of each side counting. With 
this exception, the scoring is the same as in a two- 
ball match, each hole counting as one point. The 
two partners having the honor play first from the 
tee, followed by the two opponents, after which 
the player furthest from the hole plays first. 

TAFT SYSTEM 
OR BEST BALL AND AGGREGATE 
Xhis is a variation of the regular four-ball 
match in which two points are involved on each 
hole — one point for the best ball and one point 
for the aggregate or total score of the two 



Box of Matches 21 



partners. For example, A and B are playing 
C and D. A makes the hole in 5, B in 7, C in 6 
and D in 6. A and B would score one point for 
the best ball only, as the aggregate of the two 
partners of both sides is the same. If C and D 
had made a 5 they would have won a point, as 
the best ball would have been tied, and their 
aggregate score would have been a stroke better. 

This method of play is reputed to have been 
originatedby the Honorable William Howard Taft 
when he was President. 

THREE- POINT SYSTEM 

This is played in the same way as the Taft 
System, except that two points are allowed for 
the best ball and only one for the aggregate score. 

BEST BALL AND WORST BALL 

This also is similar to the Taft System in that 
two points are involved on each hole, but in 
this case one point is scored for the best ball and 
one for the best of the two poorest balls. For 
example, A and B and C and D are partners. 
A requires a 5 , B taking 3 . C and D each take 4. 
A and B win a point for the best ball, but C 
and D win a point for the worst ball, as both of 
their scores are better than A's 5. 



22 



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Additional zJYCatches which may be 
flayed in Conjunction with a Three- 
Hall or a Four-Hall zMatch 

SYNDICATE 

In this each player of the four or three is for 
himself. An amount is specified as the syndicate ; 
this may be a cigar, a ball, or a box of balls. 
Each player theoretically contributes this amount 
as an entrance-fee on each hole and the player 
who makes a hole in fewer strokes than any of 
the other three, wins. In case two tie, all tie. 
This procedure is followed on each hole. There 
may therefore be 18 different syndicates won 
and lost or all of the holes may be halved. 

PROGRESSIVE SYNDICATE 

This is the same as syndicate, except that where 
a hole is halved the syndicate or stake for that 
hole is carried forward and is played for on the 
next hole on the same basis. At times there will 
be eight or ten syndicates accumulated, which 
are won by the player first winning a hole from 
the other three. 



Box of Matches 23 



BEST DRIVE 

This is played in the same way as syndicate, 
except that it is the drive only that counts, and 
is won by the player whose drive is on the fair- 
way nearest to the hole, usually the longest 
drive, but on occasion it may be the straightest 
instead of the longest. 

BEST APPROACH 

Same as syndicate, except that the winner is the 
player who lays his approach nearest to the hole. 
This is usually restricted to shots played with 
an iron club. 

PUTTING SYNDICATE 

Played in the same way as syndicate, but on 
the putting green only, the one holing out in the 
fewest putts after reaching the green winning. 
This is frequently varied by doubling the amount 
of the syndicate if a player does not require any 
putts, in other words, when he holes out an ap- 
proach or chip shot from off the green. The 
green, in playing putting syndicates, is considered 
to be the part of the fairway surrounding the 
hole where the grass is cut short. 



~4 



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^Miscellaneous tournaments and 

^Matches 

BALL SWEEPSTAKES 

Merely a name given to a medal-play com- 
petition where the entrance-fee is one golf ball 
and the winner is given the balls so contributed 
as a prize. Where there are many entered the 
balls are frequently divided into more than one 
prize, say, one-half for the winner, one-third for 
the second and one-sixth for the third prize. 

PLAY AGAINST PAR 

IVIost courses nowadays have a stipulated par; 
that is, the score a player would require to 
complete a round in if he played each hole 
perfectly. Par scores are based upon the follow- 
ing distances of the holes: 

Up to 250 yards Par 3 

251 to 445 yards, inclusive Par 4 

446 to 600 yards, inclusive Par 5 

More than 600 yards Par 6 

The par for these distances is sometimes 
modified on account of natural obstructions or 
lay of the course, which makes the hole more 
difficult or more simple than the distance in- 



Box of Matches 25 



dicates, i.e., a hole 440 yards uphill all the way 
might well be a par 5, as the best players would 
have difficulty under these conditions in reaching 
the green in two strokes. 

In play-against-par competitions, the same 
idea is followed as in two -ball match play, 
except that in this instance par is your opponent. 
In other words, you are playing against an 
opponent who is shooting perfect golf. Usually 
these contests are on a handicap basis, three- 
quarters of the medal play handicap being 
allowed. The contestant who finishes the great- 
est number of holes up, or the smallest number 
of holes down, in case no one finishes up on par, 
would be declared the winner. In a great many 
clubs play-against-par competitions are finding 
favor in replacing medal play contests, as in a 
competition of this kind the fact that a player 
gets into serious difficulty, or badly misplays 
one hole, does not necessarily mean that all of 
his good playing has gone for naught. For 
instance, a player might play at the top of his 
game for 17 of the 18 holes and then have the 
misfortune to lose a ball or two on the remaining 
hole, which under the present rules governing a 
lost ball might result in his taking eight or nine 
for this hole, thus losing the competition though 



26 Brooks Brothers 



he has played the remaining 17 holes excellently, j 

In the par competition, such a difficulty would ] 

result in the loss of a single hole, or point, only, j 

which might readily be overcome jy excellent f 

play of the remaining 17 holes. } 

PLAY AGAINST BOGEY 

This method of play is the same as that followed 
under play against par, except that in this 
instance your opponent is "Colonel Bogey," a ] 
fictitious but well known golf character. Bogey j, 
is similar to par except that it is based upon ^ 
the score that should be made by a fair golfer, c 
rather than an expert. In other words, where a a 
hole is 24S yards long under the Bogey system, ^ 
a perfect score would be considered a four rather . -j 
than a three under the par system; otherwise 
the same procedure is followed. 

SELECTED SCORE 

1 his competition is used principally as an inno- ^ 
vation in conjunction with a 36-hole "one-day" ^ 
medal-play competition, and consists of the best ^ 
18-hole score selected from the player's score in ^ 
the 36-hole competition. In other words, he ^ 
may select the best score in either of the two 
rounds for each hole; e.g., in the morning he l 



Box of Matches 27 



•nade the fifth hole in 5 and in the afternoon in 4. 
tae would, therefore, select the four, as his score 
< : or that hole in the selected score contest. This 
5 orm of play is sometimes followed in a single 

[8-hole competition, the player selecting the 

line lowest holes of the 18 played. 

b RINGER COMPETITION 

a OR SEASON'S SELECTED SCORE 

^his usually extends throughout the entire play- 
'ng season, each player as he makes a hole 
below the usual average, or below par, as the 
; :ase may be, makes a circle on his score card 
Hround the particular hole which he wishes to 
diave credited on his season's selected score. 
1 This, in turn, is noted by the Golf Committee 
hn a chart designed for the purpose. Most 
blayers during the year, in playing steadily over 
heir home courses, succeed at one time or an- 
other, in making most of the holes in figures 
below par, the result at the end of the season 
:>eing an exceptionally low selected score. In 
! 'nost clubs the opening and closing date for the 

■ inger competition is specified in the annual 

■ mnouncement of competitions to be played. At 
;ome clubs the selected holes must be made in 

; -ounds played on Saturdays, Sundays and 



28 Brooks Brothers 



holidays, but this is a matter to be entirely 
determined by the club officials. In all cases a 
restriction is made that the selected score must 
be during a regular round of the course consisting 
of all or at least three-quarters of the holes. In 
this way the opportunity to keep playing the 
same hole until one succeeds in securing a 
phenomenally low score is avoided. 

FLAG OR TOMBSTONE CONTEST 

Play is on a medal basis, the players* club 
handicaps usually being allowed. Each player 
is permitted to play the number of strokes 
given as par of the course, plus his handicap. 
Thus where the par of the course is 72 and 
a player's handicap is 9, he is permitted to 
play 81 strokes. When he has played his 81st 
stroke he must place the flag which was given 
to him when he started, and which bears his 
name, where his ball lies at the end of the 
stroke. As may readily be seen, this will often 
vary and some contestants will finish their al- 
lotted number somewhere on the 16th hole, 
others on the 17th, and sometimes a player who 
has had an exceptionally good round will finish 
the full 18 holes and still have strokes to spare. 
In this case he starts again from the first tee and 



Box of Matches 29 



plays until his allotted number is used up. The 
winner is the one who succeeds in placing his 
flag the greatest distance from the start. If 
two players have been able to complete the full 
18 holes and each has two strokes left, the one 
who is nearest the first hole after playing his 
second stroke would be the winner. 

Instead of using a flag to designate the point 
at which a player has completed his allotted 
number of strokes a replica of a tombstone may 
be used. This may be made of cardboard and 
bear a suitable epitaph, such as "Here Died 
Jim Jones on July 16, 1922." Interest in 
this may be extended by providing each player 
with a blank tombstone permitting him to write 
his own epitaph, thereby securing many that 
are original and humorous. 

CROSS COUNTRY 

This form of competition is played in two 
ways: 

1. Where it is possible to start, say, a mile 
from the course and play directly cross country, 
finishing on one of the greens of the course 
designated in advance, if possible near the club 
house. In this case the ball must be played from 
wherever it lies. If found in an unplayable 



30 Brooks Brothers 



position you are permitted to lift and tee up 
with the loss of two strokes. Many unusual 
situations arise in a contest of this kind. 

2. This is to play entirely on the golf course 
proper, skipping about from one hole to another, 
not in t;he usual rotation. The play might start 
on the first tee and go to hole No. 7; start at the 
8th tee and go to hole No. 4, start at the 5th tee 
and go to hole No. 16, etc., until at least nine 
holes have been played. The principal drawback 
of this kind of competition is that it interferes 
with players who have not entered the contest 
and desire to play a regular round of the course. 
However, when a contest of this kind is run it 
should be given right-of-way of the course, the 
inconvenience being with those who refuse to 
enter the contest. 

COURSE BACKWARDS 

In this the course is played from the first tee 
to the 1 8th hole, then from beside the 18th green 
to the 17th hole, and from beside the 17th green 
to the 16th hole, etc. In other words, exactly 
what the title implies, the course is played back- 
wards throughout. This does not make a very 
interesting competition, but provides a further 
innovation. 



Box of Matches 31 



SWATFEST 

This competition should be started early in the 
day as it is apt to extend over a considerable 
period, but it adds a great deal to sociability 
and fun. In this, all players play the first hole 
together, taking turns driving, the player fur- 
thest from the hole playing his second shot 
first, etc. After all have holed out the player 
or players requiring the greatest number of 
strokes on the particular hole drops out of the 
competition. 

For example, twenty players are in the con- 
test; on the first hole ten players take four, six 
players five, two players six, one player seven 
1 and one player eight, the player who scores 
eight drops out. Then the second hole is played 
and the same procedure followed. If two or more 
players take the same number of strokes and 
their score is the highest for the hole, both drop 
out, and so on until finally only one remains, 
who is the winner. This may be played on a 
handicap basis but, if so, not more than one-half 
the medal play handicap should be allowed. 

This type of contest is sometimes varied by 
requiring all contestants to drive from the tee at 
the same time. All take their positions and at a 



Brooks Brothers 



given signal all play together. This adds diffi- 
culty as it is very annoying to realize that all the 
others are to play at the precise time that you 
are playing. 

GOAT CONTEST 

Goat contests usually extend throughout the 
season. Each player entering purchases a medal 
through the Golf Committee on which is a 
replica of a goat and on the other side, the con- 
testant's name. Any contestant may challenge 
any other contestant to a match for his goat. 
All matches are played on a handicap basis. 
Three-quarters of the difference in handicap 
is allowed as the contest is at match play. When 
a player wins his match the opponent must 
surrender to him his goat {medal) and the player 
losing his "goat" is then out of the competition 
for the balance of the season. The player who 
is successful in winning or getting another man's 
"goat" may then challenge another contestant 
who still has his own or additional medals. In 
this case, if the original contestant who has 
already won from one opponent loses this next 
match, he may surrender the medal of his 
vanquished opponent rather than his own, there- 
by continuing in the competition until such time 



Box of Matches 33 



as he loses all medals which he has, including his 
own. The contestant who at the end of the 
season has the greatest number of goat medals 
is declared the winner. A great deal of interest 
is aroused in a goat contest, as the matches may 
be played in conjunction with some other 
regularly scheduled contest and need not inter- 
fere with any other match which the two players 
have on that particular day. 

LADDER CONTEST 

The names of all players who wish to enter are 
listed in order according to their handicaps 
at the beginning of the season, those having the 
same handicap being arbitrarily listed alphabetic- 
ally to start. A player has a right to challenge any 
one of the three players immediately above him 
in the list to a regular 18- hole match. (All 
of the matches are on a scratch — not a handi- 
cap — basis). If he wins, he and the beaten 
player exchange places on the ladder. If he 
loses, he may not challenge the same player 
again until he has defended his own position 
by beating some player of a lower status who 
has challenged him. 

This form of competition arouses a good deal 
of interest, and frequently brings out the ability 



34 



Brooks Brothers 



of the "money' pUyer, who never turns in a 
good 18-hole score. 

PUTTING CONTEST 

A putting contest follows the same line as a 
regular contest, except that it is played entirely 
on a putting course or green. The usual qualify- 
ing round is played and the contestants who 
qualify then compete at match play. This type 
of competition, of course, can be run off in one 
afternoon. Much interest has been displayed in 
putting contests held at night, using the head- 
lights of automobiles to illuminate the putting 
course. Sufficient light is obtained in this way. 
It has also been tried with success on nights 
when there is a full moon. In this case the light- 
ing being not quite so good, considerable interest 
is added by the different conceptions thereby 
secured as to distance, unfamiliar rolls of the 
green, etc. 

OBSTACLE PUTTING CONTEST 

This follows the same line as the putting contest, 
except in this case obstacles are placed between 
the tee and the hole and each player is allowed 
to use two clubs, e.g., a mashie or niblick and 
putter. The obstacles may consist of almost 



Box of Matches 35 



anything the Committee in charge may care to 
use. Some thoughts on this are croquet wickets 
to go through, 2x4 beams to be jumped or a 
hole placed in a barrel sawed in half into which 
the ball must be lofted. Stove pipes or elbow 
tin leaders make exceptionally fine obstacles. 

INDOOR PUTTING CONTEST 

During the winter months, which are long and 
dreary to golfers who are unable to go South, 
considerable interest can be aroused in indoor 
putting contests. For this purpose a large club, 
or assembly room, or several connecting rooms 
are required. The floor should be covered with 
rugs, the heavier the rugs the more they are like 
outdoor greens. The holes are of metal or rubber 
and are so designed that they resemble an 
inverted saucer. They may be obtained at most 
sporting goods stores. The course may be 9 or 
18 holes, depending on the space available. By 
the use of obstacles each hole may be made 
different. Bricks are very useful in making the 
obstacles; they may be used either on top of the 
rugs or underneath. Carrom shots can be 
played. By elevating one side of the rug, a 
side-hill putt is secured. Very little ingenuity 
is required to work out 9 or 18 holes. It is 



36 Brooks Brothers 



advisable to make only holes which can be 
played with a putter as the use of mashies or 
other clubs of this kind is likely to be detrimental 
to the walls and floor of a room. Many people 
who have never played outdoor golf can be 
interested in these indoor contests. 

APPROACHING AND PUTTING CONTEST 

This is a splendid form of competition for a 
holiday afternoon as it can be played directly in 
front of the Clubhouse and so furnishes amuse- 
ment for those assembled. It is also enjoyed by 
the ladies. Each contestant approaches and 
holes out three balls from three different dis- 
tances. Usually 50, 75 and 125 yards are 
selected and the play to the hole is generally 
from a different direction from each distance. 
The player may use any club he desifes, the 
object being to hole out the 9 balls in the fewest 
strokes. The 18th green or a specified hole in 
the putting course (if one is maintained) is 
usually selected for this contest. It is, of course, 
desirable that the green selected be guarded by 
one or more bunkers or hazards over which it is 
necessary to pitch one's approach. Ties frequently 
result which add still further to the interest of 
the onlookers. 



Box of Matches 37 



DRIVING CONTEST 

Another diversion for entertaining a crowd. 
Each contestant is allowed to drive three balls, 
the one making the greatest total distance with 
all three balls being the winner. Generally the 
fairway is marked and constitutes the boundary 
and each ball must be within the boundary stakes 
to count. In this way it is not always the 
longest driver that wins such a contest, as he is 
apt to have at least one ball outside of the bound- 
ary stakes and the distance of the other two is 
all that counts in his total. 

PINEHURST SWATFEST 

This type of competition originated at Pinehurst 
from which it derives its name. The play is the 
same as a regular medal play handicap tourna- 
ment. Each contestant entering agrees to pay 
a stipulated amount (usually 10 cents a stroke) 
to each player whose net score is less than his, 
he, in turn, receiving the same amount from 
each player having a higher net score. 

This is an interesting competition as it is to 
the advantage of a player to save every stroke 
possible throughout the entire round. 



38 Brooks Brothers 



TIN WHISTLE 

This competition was originated in 1920, by an 
organization of golfers who congregate at Pine- 
hurst, N. C, during the winter, holding tourna- 
ments under the name of "Tin Whistles." The 
competition is on a match-play basis and points 
are awarded as follows: 

1 point for each hole made in Bogey. 

3 points for each hole made in Par. 

5 points for each hole made one under Par. 
10 points for each hole made two under Par. 
The player having the greatest number of 
points at the end of the round wins. It is on a 
handicap basis, strokes being taken at the hole 
specified on the score card. In this way it is 
possible for a player to make a hole in 5 where the 
par is 5 and with his stroke allowance to be one 
under par, thereby obtaining 5 points, etc. 

SPLASH CONTEST 

Here is a special form of competition for 
courses which have water hazards, either a 
pond or brooks. It is played in much the same 
way as the ball sweepstakes, in that the prize is 
golf balls and the player with the lowest net score 
wins. Instead, however, of each player paying 



Box of Matches 39 



an entrance fee, each agrees to pay one ball as a 
penalty for each ball he plays into a water 
hazard during the round. Some players will 
not pay any, while others may have to con- 
tribute two or three. If any player does not 
turn in a score, he is charged with having gone 
into the water three times and must therefore 
pay three balls. If a sufficient number enter, 
the balls may be divided into more than one 
prize. 

MATCHING CARDS 

Frequently two friends will be playing in 
different matches on the same day and yet desire 
a match against each other. They therefore 
agree to match cards. Each player keeps his 
score in the match in which he is playing and 
when they return to the club, their respective 
scores are compared hole for hole on a match 
play basis. Handicaps may be allowed on either 
a stroke or bisque basis, if on a stroke basis the 
number of strokes allowed is taken on the holes 
designated on the score card. If bisques are 
given, they are taken by the recipient wherever 
they will benefit him most. The winner of the 
match is determined in the same way as if the 
two had played together. 



40 Brooks Brothers 



'TREE SILVER" OR THE OLD ARMY 
GAME 

This type of match derives its name from the 
fact that it is possible to win or lose sixteen 
points on one hole, and on account of its popu 
larity with army officers. It is primarily adapt- 
able to four-ball foursomes and consists of a 
combination of awards and penalties. 

, , Method of Scoring 

Awards 

For the longest drive (which must be 
on the fairway) or the ball nearest 



the pin on short holes i point 

Best ball on the hole i 

Lowest combined score of partners.. . . i 

Birdie (one stroke under par) 3 

Holing out from off the green 5 

Penalties 

For being in a bunker or trap 1 point 

Ball out of bounds 1 

Ball in water hazard 1 

Lost ball 1 " 

Total 16 points 



The number of points may be increased by 
allowing an award of 10 for an Eagle (two strokes 



Box of Matches 41 



under par) and adding other penalties for such 
offenses and breaches of the rules as topped 
drives, playing out of turn, teeing ahead of the 
markers, etc. 

NO ALIBI 

1 n the locker room, that seat of the great alibi, 
how often you have heard such expressions as 
these: If I had not topped my drive on the jth, or 
If I had not gone into the njuater on the pond hole, 
I would have broken the record, or I vjould have 
vjon my match. The No Alibi form of competition 
is designed to eliminate just such post mortems. 
In such a contest each player is privileged to re- 
play any four shots during the round. Itmay be a 
missed short putt, a topped drive, or any other 
shot where he is dissatisfied with the results ob- 
tained, but the decision to replay the unsatisfac- 
tory shot must be made before the next shot has 
been played. This is a new and very interesting 
form of competition. It is also readily adaptable 
as a form of handicap in an individual match 
between two players who play about the same 
game, the better player can allow his opponent to 
replay a given number of shots during the round, 
thus tending to equalize the difference in their 
games. 



42 Brooks Brothers 



THE STINGER 

This is just the converse of the No Alibi. In 
this case it is the privilege of each player to make 
his opponent play over a given number of shots, 
those which he considers lucky or feels that he 
will be unable to duplicate. Imagine the depress- 
ing sensation of holing out a fullmidiron or even 
a 20-footsidehill putt and hearing your opponent 
say with malice aforethought and exceeding 
great glee, / must respectfully request you to re- 
play that shot. Just imagine! You will be ready 
to scalp him and rightly, but — remember your 
turn will come and you can rest peacefully in the 
anticipation of the sweet revenge you will reap. 
You know it will come as your opponent is 
always luckier than you. 

OCTOPUS 

This is used quite extensively in England where 
in the summer it is light until nine or ten o'clock 
at night. Most golfers never get enough of their 
favorite game and after they have completed 
their scheduled day's play, a few more holes are 
suggested. 

The plan involves two teams of four men each, 
all playing together. Each player uses two clubs, 



Box of Matches 43 



one will play the driver and brassie, one a 
driving iron and midiron, another a jigger and 
mashie, and the fourth a niblick and putter. 
The different men composing the team are 
selected for their ability to play certain clubs 
well. A Captain is selected for each team and it 
is his duty to decide which club shall be used 
for each shot. He is generally one of the four 
men composing the team. When he decides that 
a certain shot should be played with a given club 
the man chosen to play that particular club must 
make this shot. As we all know, it is often 
hard to decide just which club to use and many 
friendly debates result. If a player finally con- 
vinces his Captain that he should play a certain 
shot and does so and makes a failure of it, he 
comes in for a lot of "kidding" from his partners, 
which adds much fun to the game. One ad- 
vantage of this competition is that no caddies 
are required, as each player has to carry only 
two clubs. This may be extended to eight men 
on a side, each playing one club. With the 
daylight-saving plan in force in some parts of 
our country, this should become as popular here 
as it is in England. 



44 Brooks Brothers 



ROTATION 

This is played by a team of four or more players 
on a side, each using one club only. Starting at 
the first tee the man with the driver plays off 
after which each member of the team plays in 
rotation with the club he has, regardless of where 
the ball is located. In this way, the player with 
the putter will often be called upon to drive, 
while the one with the niblick will try to putt. 
A great deal of fun will result, but it can hardly 
be considered beneficial to your game. 



YORKVILLE 

Where two players desire a friendly match 
which will result in very little advantage to 
either, this method of play may be used. It is 
really only a different method of handicapping. 
The contestants start on an equal basis at the 
first hole, the one winning a hole first concedes 
a stroke to his opponent on the next hole, adding 
a stroke at each succeeding hole won, and de- 
ducting a stroke for each hole lost. The match 
usually ends with very little difference in the 
total number of holes won . 



Box of Matches 45 



WOOF OR BOO HANDICAP 

In this one player allows another a certain 
number of Woofs or Boos instead of an equiva- 
lent number of strokes. The player receiving the 
handicap is privileged to yell as loud as he 
pleases at any time during the round and, need- 
less to say, he always chooses the psychological 
moment when his opponent is in the act of play- 
ing a shot. This may be during a drive or a short 
putt. The opponent, never knowing just when 
it is coming, is keyed up at all times and often 
finds it a very difficult handicap to overcome. 
We all know what it means to have someone 
speak just as we are about to hit the ball and it 
can be imagined how much worse the full blast 
of a golfer's premeditated yell will affect us. Try 
it some time and see. It is, however, advisable to 
confine thissortofmatch to a day when the players 
engaged in it have practically a monopoly of the 
course . 

CLUB SYNDICATE 

This is an interesting contest as it can be played 
without interfering with the contestant's regu- 
lar matches or other competitive play. Each 
member who enters agrees to pay a stipulated 
amount (usually a golf ball) to the contestant 



46 Brooks Brothers 



who wins a syndicate or individual hole from all 
others who have entered. This is similar to 
regular syndicate, as explained under four-ball 
matches, except that it is very difficult to win a 
hole where there are fifteen or twenty players 
competing, some two of whom are almost certain 
to halve every hole; and where two tie, all tie. 
It seldom happens that more than one or two 
wins are made in a day and then only where a 
player has scored a birdie or an eagle {see Ex- 
planation on Contents page). It more frequently 
happens that none are won, but it certainly 
furnishes a line reward for the player who does 
play some hole unusually well. 

KICKERS' HANDICAP 

This is the Duffer's Delight, as he can have the 
handicap he thinks he ought to have, and can 
therefore find no fault with the handicap com- 
mittee. A number is drawn and placed in a 
sealed envelope before the play starts; each player 
being advised before hand that the number is 
between certain numbers, say, between 70 and 
85 inclusive, or between the par of the course 
and the ninth -or fourteenth number above* Each 
competitor is privileged to select his own handi- 
cap with the object of finishing the 18-hole 



Box of Matches 47 



round with a net score somewhere between the 
numbers specified. The player whose net score 
is nearest the blind number is the winner. 

Many times it is necessary for a player who 
has taken too large a handicap to play all around 
the last hole in order to use sufficient strokes to 
bring his score near the desired total. This form 
of contest may be varied by selecting a certain 
number of holes and drawing a number as before, 
but based upon the probable number of strokes 
it will require to play the holes. Or you may go 
even farther and restrict it to one hole only, but 
in this case too many ties are likely to result. 

ONE STROKE TRICK MATCH 

This is merely a chance to get even with some- 
one who has been getting the better of you. Ask 
him to give you one stroke only, you to have the 
privilege of dividing or faking it in any way you 
desire. Then, elect to take it one-eighteenth 
on each hole. Under this plan you win every 
hole that you halve and it is not difficult to halve 
sufficient holes to make you a substantial winner. 

TEAM MATCH— NASSAU SYSTEM 

This is adaptable principally to competitions 
between two clubs or representatives of different 



48 Brooks Brothers 



organizations that wish to promote good fellow- 
ship, etc., and consists of an equal number of 
players on each side. Regular matches are 
played but the scoring is generally on the Nassau 
System basis; that is — one point for the first 
9 holes, one point for the last 9 holes and one 
point on the match. This system of scoring, 
originated many years ago at the Nassau Coun- 
try Club, is an extremely good method, as it 
gives the player who is off his game on the first 
few holes an opportunity to save something for 
his team by winning the inward journey. It is 
almost universally used for team matches and 
many individual matches are played on this basis. 

The most noteworthy team matches, which are 
an annual fixture, are the Leslie Cup Matches 
between amateur teams representing Massachu- 
setts, the Metropolitan District of New York 
and Pennsylvania. 



THE END 



